Abstract
The considerable amount of time spent by Parisians in traffic jams has led the Paris authorities to consider the use of data processing techniques to improve traffic flows. Aspects of information technology that will contribute are briefly reviewed under the following categories: a) data collection; b) information processing and visual display; c) decision taking;and d) operations. The data which can be collected and analysed and the information that can be generated at each stage is listed. The experience of Steria in this field is outlined.